Williams, who played football at Central High, signed a four-year deal worth $2.567 million. His signing bonus was for $407,712.

Houston signed Williams' UConn teammate Ryan Griffin, the 201st pick, on May 10. Griffin, a 6-foot-6, 247-pounder, could land the third tight end spot with the Texans.

The 6-1, 240-pound Williams was a defensive end at UConn and will be an outside linebacker for the Texans. The Texans drafted players who will be outside linebackers -- Williams and LSU's Sam Montgomery. Slowed by a minor back injury on the first day of the rookie mini-camp, Montgomery fell a bit behind Williams, Texans coach Gary Kubiak said.

"Williams was exactly what we thought," Kubiak said on Sunday. "Tremendous speed. He can really run. So settling them down at one spot, letting them compete will be the key."

Williams, a top high school sprinter who ran a 4.57 40 at the NFL Combine, became UConn's all-time leader in sacks with 30ï»¿1/2.